From the small Northern French town of Onnaing, near Valenciennes, TMMF will now export its vehicles to more than 40 countries, including destinations like South Africa, Egypt, Canada and the US.

“With Quebec accounting for 65 percent of Yaris’s Canadian sales, a warm welcome will be assured for this ‘Made-in-France’ vehicle,” said Seiji Ichii, president and CEO of Toyota Canada Inc.

The Toyota Yaris became the first vehicle ever produced in France to be certified with the new “French Origin Guaranteed” (“Origine France Garantie”) label. This certificate was created in order to help customers identify products that have more than 50 percent of their value manufactured in France. On the occasion of the ceremony at TMMF, Yves Jego, Member of the French Parliament as well as founder and president of the non-profit organization Pro France, in charge of promoting the brand “France” and the label “French Origin Guaranteed”, officially presented the certificate to TMMF.

Check your tires for wear - Using the ‘Penny Test,’ put the edge of the coin into the tread with the Queen going in head first. If the top of the Queen’s head is covered by tread, that’s good. If the top of her head is entirely visible, it’s time to replace the tire.

Check the air pressure – Tires have been known to lose up to one psi (pounds per square inch) of pressure every month. Use a proper pressure gauge to check pressure when tires are ‘cold’ (before driving or three hours after driving). Make sure your tires are inflated to the psi on the sticker inside the driver’s door of your car. DO NOT compare to the psi on your tire’s sidewall, which is the maximum inflation and is not recommended for driving.

Don’t mix tires - If you’re replacing only two new tires instead of four, be sure they are the same size and type as the current ones. Always install the new tires on the rear axle of your vehicle, which will reduce the risk of fishtailing and loss of stability in wet conditions.

Wet Driving

Wet road conditions present dangers of less grip and longer stopping distance.

• Slow down. Slowing down dramatically decreases the risk of accidents in rain.
• Always drive with two hands on the steering wheel.
• Slow down before turning and maintain a consistent speed throughout the turn.
• While turning, don’t make sudden steering wheel movements.
• Only brake in a straight line before the turn and do so gradually. Do not brake during the turn.
• Increase your following distance from other cars to allow for more stopping range.
• If hydroplaning, do not accelerate or brake suddenly. Keep your foot lightly on the gas and steer the car forward until your tires regain traction.

Blowouts

• This can be one of the most frightening moments on the road.
• As prevention, always drive with both hands on the wheel.
• If you have a tire blowout, don’t panic. The loud noise will startle you, but follow these rules, and you’ll quickly and safely regain control. First, keep your foot on the gas, grip the wheel firmly and stay in your lane, then, slow down gradually and carefully steer toward the shoulder of the road.

Michelin is offering more driving tips here.

“We are extremely proud that the 2013 Ford Fusion hybrid has been honoured by our country’s top automotive journalists as the recipient of the inaugural Canadian Green Car Award,” said Steve Ross, Ford of Canada’s product marketing manager, sustainability and electrification. “The Fusion hybrid is an important vehicle in the Ford line-up, delivering leading fuel-economy, innovative technologies and a sleek, desirable design for eco-conscious consumers.”

The five finalists for the first annual Canadian Green Car Award were revealed April 4th and the winner from among this group was revealed this morning at the Green Living Show, in Toronto.

The finalists included:

• Ford C-MAX Energi
• Ford Fusion Hybrid
• Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
• Mazda3
• Volkswagen Jetta Turbocharged Hybrid

The award, presented by AJAC and Green Living Enterprises, which hosts the annual show, has been launched to recognize vehicles with the potential for strong environmental benefits and to provide consumers with authoritative information about them.

The competition placed heavy emphasis on fuel economy and emissions, but also considered other environmental features within each vehicle—for example, use of recycled or naturally sourced materials—and steps each manufacturer has taken to green its operations.  Equally important, it assessed market potential—factors such as build quality, driving experience, overall features, availability, general consumer appeal and price.

The finalists were selected by members of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada from a wide variety of vehicles nominated by their manufacturers.

The speed record on ice was a joint project of Nissan in Russia and LAV Productions company, taking place at Small Sea Strait—part of the Baikal water area between western coast and Ol’khon isle. The Nissan GT-R 2012 model year used non-studded Bridgestone winter tires.

The length of the track was divided into an acceleration part—3.5 km; timekeeping part —1 km; and braking area—3.5 km. The driving attempts were fixed and evaluated by a specially-created committee of the Russian Automotive Federation, and also a group of four judges from Yaroslavl, Omsk, Yekaterinburg and Moscow. The car started from a standing position and developed maximum speed on the distance of  one kilometre.

The 540-horsepower GT-R production car had no modifications, running the 3.8-litre, V6 engine on the frozen surface of the world’s deepest lake in southern Siberia, with a result for the history books. Here’s a video of their record ice escapade.

On average, journey times in Vancouver are 33 percent longer than when traffic in the city is flowing freely and 68 percent longer during evening rush hour. Although ranked 10th overall, Montreal’s evening peak is the third worst across North America, with an average 71 percent longer commute than when traffic in the city is flowing free. The complete Index, including individual city reports, can be found here.

TomTom’s Congestion Index is based on real travel time data captured by vehicles driving the entire road network. TomTom’s traffic database contains more than six trillion data measurements and is growing by five billion measurements every day. The average congestion level for all the North American cities analyzed between July and September 2012 is 18 percent.

The 10 most congested North American cities, ranked by overall Congestion Level, in 2012 were:

The methodology used in the Congestion Index compares measured travel times during non-congested periods (free flow) with travel times in peak hours. The difference is expressed as a percentage increase in travel time. The Index takes into account local roads, arterials, as well as highways. All data is based on actual GPS-based measurements.

As well as assigning and ranking the overall congestion levels of over 161 cities around the world, the report analyses the congestion levels in cities at different times of the day and on different days of the week. TomTom analyzed capital cities as well as cities with a population of over 800,000. In addition, a selection of key cities with smaller populations was included based on their regional importance to the transportation network. The purpose of adding these smaller cities was to provide a better understanding of congestion levels within individual countries.

Individual city reports include more detailed information such as the most congested day, time delay per year for commuters and congestion levels on main and secondary roads.

AT A GLANCE:

Body Style: Four-door luxury sedan

Fuel economy: 14.4L/100km City; 8.5 highway

Engine: 5.7L V8 (Optional)

Transmission: 5-Speed Automatic

MSRP: $43,195; As tested: $49,730

Nautical references aside, this is really an excellent car. The 2013 300C edition tested was sparkling black on the outside and lovely two-tone coffee coloured leather inside (the colour names are Dark Frost Beige and Light Frost Beige, but who wants a car with a beige interior? Chrysler needs to employ some creative colour namers to zip that up a notch). Luxury is apparent the moment your posterior lands in the driver’s seat; the car smells like leather and looks like a gentlemen’s club, with elegant faux wood finishes, the leather dash, hot and cold cupholders, hot and cold driver’s seat, power sunshade for the back window. The interior is impeccable, and with the light carpets is clearly not designed for those with an active or dirty lifestyle. Or perhaps it’s for those who pay others to keep their car clean.

As a big car, the 300C has a big engine to pull it around. This version had the 5.7L eight-cylinder Hemi under the hood, mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. This combination is more than enough to power the car’s bulk off the line gracefully, and offers a smooth, quiet ride on the highway with enough grunt to spare for passing or evasive maneuvers.

It also handles well, taking corners with the assurance you’d expect from an all-wheel drive car. The suspension is not stiff, but rides comfortably without delivering that big car floating feeling. Steering inputs are clean. The brakes are adequate, but did not offer a really substantial feel. A little less forgiving pedal might improve this impression.

As far as technology goes, this car has some nannies built in that seem essential in a vehicle of this type. The back-up camera is, but the park assist functions, including the cross-traffic sensor should also be standard equipment on the 300C. Its sheer size makes these sensory aids invaluable, especially when driving in the city or in close quarters like parking lots. It was annoying at first to have the car constantly bleeping at me as I negotiated my narrow city driveway, down between two looming brick walls, but I wonder how many times it actually saved me from a scratch, bump or worse. If you are going to pay $50,000 for a car, it makes sense to protect your investment with a little tech.

Speaking of technology, the touchscreen interface in this car is superbly intuitive. It passed my Bluetooth test easily, requiring only moments to achieve connectivity, with no need to consult a manual. While underway the phone was audible and clear, and the optional “Beats by Dr Dre” stereo system ($995) offers 10 speakers, sub-woofer and a 552-watt amp.

With the stereo humming, phone connected, hot drink staying hot, and cool drink chilled it was hard to park the car and go in the house, let alone the office. It’s got all the creature comforts, room in the trunk for luggage, (or samples, deliveries, bodies or whatever your profession requires), and enough space in the back seat to hold meetings. The 300C is an excellent car for the road warrior who spends serious hours in the rolling office.

The Panamera family now has ten models. The new generation celebrates its world premiere at the Shanghai Auto Show, which opens its doors on the 21st of April 2013.

The Panamera S E-Hybrid has a more powerful electric motor, a higher-performance battery that supplies more energy and the ability to charge it externally from the electrical grid. The electric drive produces 95 hp (70 kW), which is more than double the power of the previous model’s electric motor at 47 hp (34 kW). It draws its energy from a newly developed lithium-ion battery, which at 9.4 kWh has over five times the 1.7 kWh energy capacity of the previous battery in nickel metal hydride technology.

When connected to an industrial outlet, it can be charged within around two and a half hours via the integrated on-board charger and the standard Porsche Universal Charger (AC), and it can be charged in less than four hours when connected to a conventional household electrical outlet.

The Panamera S E-Hybrid far exceeds the driving performance of the previous model. In addition, the previous model’s fuel consumption of 7.1 l/100 km was reduced by 56 percent to 3.1 l/100 km. That equates to CO2 emissions of 71 g/km. At the same time, its all-electric driving performance was substantially improved with regard to electric acceleration, electric range, and electric top speed.

The electric driving range of the Panamera S E-Hybrid was determined to be 36 kilometres. A realistic all-electric driving range in everyday operation would lie somewhere between 18 and 36 km. The Panamera with the new hybrid drive can reach speeds of up to 135 km/h in all-electric operation.

The acceleration time from a standstill to 100 kmh was shortened by half a second to 5.5 seconds. The car’s top speed is 270 kmh. The parallel full hybrid concept developed by Porsche also offers “coasting” at higher speeds, which refers to free coasting with the internal combustion engine shut off and energy recovery by generating electricity.

The bi-turbo V6 replaces the previous 4.8-litre V8 engine in the Panamera S and Panamera 4S, and it is also used in the new Executive version of the Panamera 4S. Its basic parameters themselves are indicators of progress: 20hp more power and 15 lb-ft more torque, but up to 18 percent better fuel economy compared to the V8 engine in the previous model. This not only gives the driver a more powerful and efficient engine; turbocharging results in a maximum torque of 384 lb-ft being available over a very broad range of engine speeds for a superior and uniform power curve, even at low revs.

Most Panamera models are equipped with the seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung PDK. An eight-speed automatic Tiptronic S is featured in the Panamera S E-Hybrid. With the exception of the Panamera GTS, models with PDK also offer a coasting function in which the clutches open in overrun, the engine idles, and the vehicle coasts freely. This function can significantly improve fuel economy, especially when travelling on the highway.

Panameras have new standard features such as bi-xenon headlights, multifunction steering wheel and an automatic boot lid. In addition, an extended line-up of assistance systems is available for safety and convenience. The optimized adaptive cruise control system, for example, now actively intervenes in the braking process in hazardous situations. Camera-based traffic sign detection and lane departure warning offer greater convenience in rural and highway travel.

The new generation of Panamera models will be launched in Canada in the fall. Prices start at $89,500 for the Panamera and $94,800 for the Panamera 4. The Panamera S is priced at $106,600 and the Panamera 4S at $112,500. The Panamera S E-Hybrid will cost $$113,300, which is followed by the Panamera GTS at $129,400 and the Panamera 4S Executive at $143,600. The top models are the Panamera Turbo for $161,500 and the Panamera Turbo Executive for $184,100.

Arriving next year are the new Porsche Panamera Turbo S and Panamera Turbo S Executive.

Doug Speck, Volvo Cars’ senior vice president marketing, sales and customer service, made the announcement at the New York International Auto Show, indicating the new V60 will come to the US market in early 2014. Pricing and specifications for the US and Canada will be announced at a later date.

The V60 R-Design on the auto show stand marks the global debut of the R-Design version of the car. It projects an elegant, curvy and sculptured appearance that equally straddles luxury and performance.

“The V60 marks a beautiful evolution in design and direction for Volvo,” said Volvo Cars of Canada president and CEO Marc Engelen, “Many Canadian consumers have been asking us to bring this exciting sports wagon to the Volvo lineup and we listened.”

The new Volvo V60 is for people who want the handling of a dynamic sports sedan but need the versatility of a wagon. At the heart of the extra versatility of the V60 is its intelligent seating. Rear seats can be folded down in three 40/20/40 segments, allowing its interior space to be configured for passengers and loaded in a remarkably flexible way.

In keeping with that tradition, the 2013 Civic is a solidly built, predictable little car. It offers excellent fuel economy, a comfortable ride, is small enough to be a good city car, and can go the distance on the highway.

The Grand Touring edition tested was well-equipped, with newly available multi-angle rear camera, and text-messaging capability, voice controls, and eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat. With these features for just over $24k, the Grand Touring is a very comfortable car, with the panache of a more expensive vehicle.

On the road the Civic has good manners, with a quiet, solid ride, responsive steering and handling. The car’s five-speed automatic transmission has what Honda calls “grade logic control” and it worked well, downshifting intelligently after the brakes were applied on a downgrade. The brakes, as well, are excellent, providing confident stopping in every situation encountered. On the highway, the cruise control was effective and easy to operate. True to its name, the Grand Touring would be a comfortable, no-hassles road trip vehicle.

It would also be an economical on a road trip. With highway fuel economy of five litres per 100km, spare cash might be found to extend the trip. The Civic Sedan and Coupe models all feature Honda’s ECO Assist technology, which with the push of the green, dash-mounted “ECON” button, can help drivers operate the vehicle more efficiently. There was no discernible difference in the car’s driveability with the button engaged, so if it actually delivers better economy over the long haul, why not go green, and use it!

(Photo: Honda Canada)

Although the cabin is not large, the Civic feels big enough once you’re inside. Access and egress, however, were not ideal for the tall or mobility impaired. The front door openings are low, and more than one passenger smacked their head getting out of the car the first time. The rear doors also proved a challenge for seniors who lacked the flexibility to bend down into the seats. On the plus side, however, trunk capacity is great for a car its size.

From the driver’s seat visibility is average, with a thick A-pillar and rear headrests that slightly impede front and rear vision. However, the car is definitely designed for the driver; the lovely, small steering wheel, multi-adjustable seat, along with the ‘head-up’ display for speed, fuel and information all make the experience behind the wheel pleasant and easy.

This Civic seems likely to continue the legacy with solid performance and probably sales to match.

Taking another shot at the increasingly popular North American diesel segment with the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze clean turbo diesel, the automaker is hoping to overcome the disastrous days of its failed Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme and Chevrolet Chevette diesel experiments of the 1970s and 80s.

GM Canada announced it will launch the 2.0L turbo-diesel powered Cruze in Canada this summer.

“The Cruze clean turbo diesel is the perfect addition to an already extensive Chevrolet product portfolio here in Canada,” Marc Comeau, vice-president of sales, service and marketing for Chevrolet in Canada, said in a statement.

Aimed to compete directly with the Volkswagen Jetta TDI diesel, the Lordstown, Ohio-built Cruze is expected to get highway mileage as low as 4.6L/100 kilometres, according to GM.

The Cruze diesel comes equipped with a 2.0L turbocharged engine, which produces approximately 148 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft of torque, and a six-speed automatic transmission.

“The 2.0L turbo-diesel comes to the United States and Canada with performance that will impress,” said Mike Siegrist, GM assistant chief engineer. “It will change perceptions of what a diesel car can be, while giving customers another fuel efficient choice in the Cruze lineup.”

The launch comes at time where demand for diesel vehicles is climbing steadily, yet their sales only make up a fraction of the North American market.

According to the automaker, diesel car sales make up only three per cent of the U.S. market, but jumped 35 per cent in the first quarter of 2012.

Citing research from automotive forecasting firm Baum and Associates, GM said diesel car sales are expected to account for six per cent of the market by 2015.

And now GM is hoping to bank on the success of the Cruze diesel in Europe—40 per cent of Cruze models there are diesel-powered—with a market hungry for cost-saving options at reasonable prices.

The diesel option adds to the Cruze lineup’s available 1.4L turbo, a 1.4L Eco model and 1.8L naturally aspirated engines.

According to GM, the Cruze diesel will have a Canadian sticker price of $24,945.

For 2013, the series will continue to evolve in many ways, with new venues, a new class structure and even a surprise announcement or two.

When the GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Michelin series was first conceived, it consisted of three classes – Platinum, Gold and Silver. This class structure allowed drivers of GT3 Cup cars from the early 2000′s to present day to compete against other drivers with cars of equivalent capabilities, so that the driver was the determining factor for victory.

The hope was that as the fields continued to grow, drivers would step up to newer cars, thus taking their improved skills and applying them to newer, faster and more dynamic GT3 Cup cars. This means for 2013 the series will be divided in to two classes – Platinum and Gold. As planned, the Silver class will be retired after the first two seasons.

In 2012, the GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Michelin made its first official trip to the Canadian Grand Prix as a “race within a race” as part of the US-based IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama and was run under the rules of that series. This year the Grand Prix support race becomes a full-fledged part of the GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Michelin series and will be run under Canadian rules for the very first time. In addition, there has been a second race added that weekend, thus bringing the total number of races in the series for 2013 to 10.

The other major addition to the calendar is the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres. The Grand Prix began in 1967 and has brought such names as Gilles Villeneuve and Keke Rosberg to prominence and to the attention of F1 team owners. The legendary street circuit is enjoyed by race enthusiasts and families alike, resulting in one of the top-five highest attended motorsports events in Canada each year.

The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Michelin will consist of five weekends of racing with a total of ten championship races. The season will run from Victoria Day in May through September this season.

May 17-19: 2013 Victoria Day SpeedFest, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Bowmanville, Ontario

June 7-9: 2013 Grand Prix du Canada, Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, Montreal, Quebec

July 19-21: 2013 Grand Prix of Mosport, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Bowmanville, Ontario

August 9-11: 2013 Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres, Trois-Rivieres, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec,

September 6-8, 2013 Calabogie Grand Prix, Calabogie Motorsports Park, Calabogie, Ontario

The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Michelin features semi-professional drivers racing head-to-head in the largest single-make series in the world. Powered by one of the world’s most successful race cars, the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car, the multi-class structure of the series teaches drivers essential skills for an eventual career in the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron.

Approximately 40,000 sudden cardiac arrests occur each year in Canada, 7,000 in Ontario alone, and the majority happen at home or in public places. The survival rate for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Canada is currently a mere five percent.

For every minute that passes without help, the chance of surviving a cardiac arrest drops seven to 10 percent. Learning CPR is easy and it could mean saving the life of a friend or family member. When an automated external defibrillator (AED) is applied with CPR in the first few minutes, it can improve the chance of survival to up to 75 percent.

“The Heart and Stroke Foundation urges all Canadians to learn CPR. The more people trained, the greater the chance of keeping a person who is experiencing cardiac arrest alive until an ambulance arrives,” says Andrew Lotto, manager, resuscitation with the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. “When it comes to CPR and AEDs you are in the driver’s seat. We applaud the Mercedes-Benz Toronto Corporate Stores’ support of our important training initiatives, which will help us increase the number of people who can administer CPR and save a life.”

“Through a consistent commitment to innovation, Mercedes-Benz has introduced many sophisticated safety and assistance systems that prevent accidents and allow our valued customers to effectively negotiate a variety of challenging situations,” said Jens Israng, Vice President & Head of Toronto Retail Operations. “We are extremely proud to help contribute to safer roads, and it is this dedication to safety that compelled us to partner with the Heart and Stroke Foundation. The statistics are staggering and speak for themselves. CPR training saves lives, and we are proud to offer the opportunity to learn this crucial skill in our dealerships.”

The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada sets the Canadian Guidelines for CPR, defibrillation and other aspects of emergency cardiovascular care in Canada. Free public CPR Skills & AED Awareness events will take place at each Mercedes-Benz Corporate Store on the dates outlined below. There will be four training sessions for each of the dates listed: 9:00 – 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

April 7 – Mercedes-Benz Midtown
April 14 – Mercedes-Benz Downtown
May 5 – Mercedes-Benz Thornhill
October 6 – Mercedes-Benz Mississauga
November 3 – Mercedes-Benz Markham
November 10 – Mercedes-Benz Maple
November 17 – Mercedes-Benz Newmarket

To register for the date, location and time most convenient for you, please visit Mercedes-Benz.ca/CPR. Space is limited, and participants will be confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis.

In most cases, it seems that money can buy happiness, as most drivers of expensive cars made by BMW (82 percent) and Aston Martin (78 percent), were more likely to enjoy driving than were drivers of Ford (68 percent) and Toyota (64 percent). However, only 59 percent of Land Rover drivers say they enjoy driving, while a cheerful 73 percent of Mini drivers have fun on the roads.

The answers from the lucky few who drive Ferraris were surprising though: only 57 percent of Ferrari drivers said that they enjoyed driving, compared to 68 percent of Ford drivers and 65 percent of Vauxhall drivers.

Among ‘everyday’ cars, 74 percent of Honda and Renault owners were happy. The most miserable? Just 46 percent of Volvo owners enjoy driving, while one in five (20 percent) see driving only as a way of getting from A to B.

On average across all makes of car, 69 percent of motorists said they enjoyed driving, with only eight percent finding driving a chore.

Top 5 car brands for enjoyment:
1) BMW (82 percent)
2) Aston Martin (78 percent)
3) Lexus (78 percent)
4) Seat (76 percent)
5) Peugeot (75 percent)

When asked about external factors affecting their enjoyment of driving, the majority (62 percent) cited the increasing cost of motoring, which may explain why drivers of luxury cars are able to enjoy the roads more. However, no expensive car will free a motorist from the burden of traffic jams (47 percent) and too many driving restrictions (18 percent).

More than three quarters of Honda (78 percent) and Peugeot (78 percent) drivers were worried by the rising costs of driving such as gas prices and road tolls, while Alfa Romeo owners (46 percent) were the most likely to cite the number of restrictions on roads as a concern. Ford drivers (58 percent) were most concerned by traffic jams, followed closely by Volvo (54 percent).

The study was carried out by OnePoll in November 2012 among 2,000 UK motorists.

Welcome to what is planned as a semi-regular column in this publication. I am a racing driver, and currently run Sidorov Advanced Driver Training, based in Whistler, British Columbia. I’m also chief instructor for the largest resource road driving program in this province. Previously I worked with the top racing and advanced driving schools in the world, including Jim Russell International Racing Driver’s School in the UK and Skip Barber Racing School in the US. I’ve also done a lot of development testing for various manufacturers, precision driving for films, and belong to the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada.

You will be forgiven, at this point, for asking what this has to do with fleet management. I have a small fleet of vehicles, which we use in our advanced driving courses, but more significantly, a large part of my company’s work involves training drivers for organizations with much larger fleets, which often use the vehicles in difficult conditions. Beyond that, many of the skills we use in racing cars can have benefit when applied to daily driving.

Let’s examine the racing aspect. To be any good in a racing car you have to learn to be efficient, to get the most out of a vehicle with the least possible abuse. I started in racing with no money of my own, so developing a reputation as someone who typically brings the car home in one piece was a critical career-building skill.

Fuel management is important; team managers love a driver who can nurse an extra lap out of a car while maintaining pace. Consider how this could apply to your own vehicle use, as well as to fleet management. Going with simple math, let’s say you are spending $100 on gas or diesel every week. Improving efficiency by 10 percent means more than $500 in your pocket each year. In our eco-driving clinics we have achieved even better results than this, while actually reducing travel times. Any reduction in fuel usage is usually accompanied by reduced wear and tear overall. Side benefits are fewer collision claims, because driving efficiently, which is to say driving better, means paying more attention.

The problem with encouraging operators to improve driving skills is that, if surveys are correct, just about everybody in North America already believes he or she is a better than average driver. Leaving aside the mathematical impossibility of this notion, there is a reason for the delusion. Driving a vehicle in Canada is a low probability/high consequence activity. It is possible to be completely inept behind the wheel—for a long time—and survive. The flip side of the coin is that when crashes do occur, the consequences can be devastating.

Two things illustrate our cultural view of driving. The first is the use of the convenient and forgiving term “accident” for a motor vehicle crash. In reality, 99 percent of so-called accidents are avoidable. A true accident might be a puppy peeing on the carpet; it does not compute when someone has been trusted with the operation of a potentially deadly instrument. The second is how we view other motorists, the maniac-idiot syndrome. Anyone going much faster than we are is a maniac, someone going slower is an idiot, or words to that effect.

I’ll be using this column to highlight driving skills, as well as cover certain areas of vehicle preparation and maintenance. We’ll review ideas about staying fit to drive, how diet affects performance, and more. I’ll also be doing road tests from a fleet perspective. A key element will be the interaction with readers, and if my other columns are any indication, you will have plenty of interesting questions as well as observations from your own experience. I’m looking forward to it.

Before taking a closer look at the Lexus GS range of sedans, it’s important to note where this product sits in the extensive roster of luxury vehicles marketed by Toyota’s upscale division.

At a Glance
Specs as Tested:

Body Style: 4-door, 5-place sedan

Engine: 3.5-litre V-6

Transmission: 6-speed automatic with manual option

Performance: 0-100kmh in approx 6.5-seconds

Fuel Economy: 9.5 litres/100km combined (AWD model)

Price: GS 350 prices start at $51,900 MSRP

There are three other sedans in the Lexus lineup dubbed IS, ES and LS. Each has its role in life but the GS is something of a maverick, first launched in 1993 as a sports sedan to fit the slot between ES and LS models. It’s always offered a combination of high style and solid performance. In some respects, it rivals the BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class AMG—both largish sedans with sporty pretensions. To cement the fact that the GS was a valid competitor in this European-dominated segment, Lexus had the original car designed by Italdesign Giugiaro SpA studios in Italy.

Lexus launched a fourth-generation GS last year as a 2013 model, ‘all new’ inside and out. It’s interesting to note that the range wasn’t sold in its home country of Japan until the third generation, though it’s always been manufactured there. Although not the most popular of Lexus sedans in Canada, it could be the most intriguing, and in the eyes of many, the best looking. It certainly deserves more attention from the near-fullsize executive market.

Models galore
One of the best aspects of the GS range is the variety of models available—and we’re not simply talking trim choices here. The car can be ordered in “basic” GS 350 RWD form with rear wheel drive and a 306-horsepower 3.5-litre V-6. Also offered is an all-wheel drive version of the same model (GS 350 AWD) plus a 338-horsepower GS 450h hybrid. While there are other luxury car ranges offering similar choices, they are far from common. The hybrid might be especially appealing for executive fleet use by companies operating in the environmental and associated fields, or firms wanting to make a “green statement” with their executive cars.

The most recent Lexus we drove from this range was a GS 350 AWD, so we’ll focus on that for this report. The GS 350 has always had rather rakish styling, almost as though that initial Italian design influence was carried over from generation to generation. Lexus points out that the GS picks up styling cues from the limited-production LFA supercar and there are certainly some comparable design elements here and there. The new car has a massive grille, which seems to have become something of a trademark for Lexus recently. It’s distinctive, as are the flared headlights which have a “necklace” of LEDs below them—a styling quirk that seems to have become de rigueur for luxury cars in recent times.

The doors are wide for both front and rear occupants, a useful feature for business use where the rear seats will probably do their share of work. The rear of the car is nicely sculpted and the trunk is surprisingly large. Cast alloy spoked wheels compliment the GS nicely, but look as though they may be something of a challenge to keep clean.

Under the hood
At the heart of this car is the silky-smooth V-6 which has benefited from a good deal of work to reduce what automotive engineers call “noise, vibration and harshness”, or NVH. The result is a very refined automobile that is remarkably quiet, even when accelerating to high speeds. The engine compartment is exceptionally well insulated from the interior and it could be said that few automakers do this better than Lexus. Most of the prestige automakers in Europe and North America regularly “benchmark” Lexus products, though few would admit to this. Lexus refinement is something of a world standard around the industry.

The engine is well matched to a six-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission that has a sequential shift mode with paddle shifters for rapid manual changes. Frankly, modern automatic transmissions shift so quickly and reliably that those paddle shifters are more of a selling feature than a necessary asset. Factor in the torque and flexibility of this car’s engine and you have a sedan that would only need manual override on an Alpine pass full of hairpin bends. The GS 350’s powertrain provides a level of fuel economy that’s acceptable, but not earth-shattering.

The AWD version is a good choice for companies operating in snowbelt areas because it’s very stable and confidence-inspiring when the going gets slippery. Lexus has considerable experience engineering AWD systems for its SUV range. The system in the GS 350 AWD transfers traction to the wheels with grip when any traction is lost. Under normal conditions, 70 percent of power goes to the rear wheels and 30 percent to the front.

As with any luxury car these days, considerable time has been spent on the development of safety systems, many of which have been pioneered by Lexus. The simple fact is that buyers in this class expect a full roster of safety technology and any automaker that ignored these demands wouldn’t be in business very long. At the heart of any truly safe automobile is good impact-absorbing bodywork and to this end, Lexus worked long and hard, aided by computer programs, which can create crash scenarios even before the first prototype car is built.

Of course, models at the GS’s price level have a full suite of electronic safety features too and these include the usual traction control, antilock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist. What this all means is the car will “do its best” to avoid an accident even if the driver has basically lost control. To round off the package, there are no less than 10 air bags.

Inside story
As with any Lexus, the interior is a delight, with a superb level of trim fit and finish, first-class materials and an impressive array of controls and instruments. Perhaps there are even too many switches and knobs.

Automotive engineers are said to be looking at control simplification for future vehicles. Certainly, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to hide little-used controls under a cover of some kind. However, the GS is very well laid out and owners should soon get used to where everything is. Lexus is now using a mouse-like control on the centre console to the right of the shift lever, which functions well for the navigation system and other features. It’s easy to use without looking at it with a little practice; after that, all the driver has to do is glance at the big central screen. Happily the car boasts a “proper” clock in the middle of the dash and not a digital readout hidden among other displays.

The leather seating is comfortable, front and back, and the detailing is outstanding. There’s no question the rear seats are more than adequate for adult use, an important fleet consideration for airport pickups and the like. There is room for three in the back, but the central passenger won’t be too happy and anyway, there’s a handy fold-down console/armrest that adds to the comfort of just two rear occupants.

Enhancing the ambiance of the GS are warm white LED interior lights and included are footwell lamps, reading lamps and even one or two more handily placed lights.
The car carries on the “sports sedan” tradition of the GS range and is a lot of fun to drive for a fairly large car. It handles very well and there’s lots of power from the V-6. For several generations, there was a version of the GS with a V-8 under its hood, but no more. The simple fact is that automakers are now getting V-8 power and flexibility out of simpler V-6 engines and there are obvious benefits with regard to economy.

There are plenty of choices in the market for luxury cars of this size, but only the very best of them match or exceed this Lexus. Given Lexus’s reputation for durability, quality and resale value, this car is also very keenly priced for the kind of equipment and performance it offers.

“This is where everything is happening. This is where all the intelligence lies, so this is where Nissan needs to be,” said Nissan Americas senior vice-president of research and development Carla Bailo.

The new facility is part of Nissan’s global plan to expand research and development outside of Japan into key local markets. The team will work with the Nissan Research Center team in Japan to develop autonomous driving vehicles— cars that can safely drive themselves.

“I think Nissan wants to create the future for mobility in autonomous driving,” said Nissan corporate vice-president Takao Asami.

Researchers will look for ways to connect the car with the internet, existing infrastructure, and other self-driving cars. They will additionally research what’s called Human Machine Interface, so autonomous and connected cars can interact better with people.

“This lab is focused in reaching out beyond the cars to things that are beyond the automobile. It is really trying to think about the car in society and not just the car and the interior of it and I think that’s the future,” said MIT Media Lab professor Alex Pentland.

The Renault-Nissan Alliance has had a presence in Silicon Valley since 2011 with an office in Mountain View, California. Now the Alliance will continue its work in the larger lab in Sunnyvale.

“We hope to be an open centre and have collaborations with the Silicon Valley attitude and with the Silicon Valley spirit. Nissan is well positioned I think to take the next step and be a leader in autonomous driving and connected vehicles and that is very exciting,” said research director for Nissan Research Center Silicon Valley, Maarten Sierhuis.

Some of the smartest and most innovative minds in the area will come together here to move the car industry and Nissan Motor Company into a new, more advanced era.

“Maybe we will have a Jetsons era.  We will see,” said Bailo.

The Spyker B6 Venator Concept is a compact, 2-door mid-engine sports car designed by Victor R. Muller, CEO of Spyker NV. According to the company, highly detailed design, bespoke materials and aviation-inspired elements are a core part of the Spyker DNA. With the announcement of the Spyker B6 Venator Concept, the company once again proves its Latin axiom: “Nulla tenaci invia est via” – “For the tenacious no road is impassable.” The name “Venator” is Latin as well, meaning “Hunter” – a nod back to Spyker’s “Hunter” fighter aircraft of the early 20th century.

The program will select the car—battery-electric, plug-in hybrid, hybrid, diesel or enhanced-efficiency ICE—judged able to have the most beneficial impact on the environment. That means it must combine “green” technology and performance with market appeal.

To be eligible, cars must meet minimum “green” criteria. Judges will then give strong weight to fuel economy, emissions, range and other aspects of environmental footprint, but also consider driving experience, quality, emotional and market appeal and innovative green technologies outside the drive train. Judging will also take into account the carmaker’s manufacturing processes, plant construction and operations, and community involvement in environmental issues and education.

Judging is open to AJAC members who meet the Canadian Car of the Year “regular road tester” criteria, have experience and interest in electric, hybrid, diesel or efficiency-enhanced ICE models, and/or are part of the technology jury.

“The strong connection of AJAC with the Canadian car-buying public, as well as Green Living’s strong connection with environmentally conscious consumers, will work together to achieve the goals common to both organizations—namely, providing relevant, trustworthy and criteria-driven advice to Canadians,” said AJAC president Charles Renny, announcing award program.

“Mobility has defined new expectations for Millennials.”

The independent study of Millennials (18-34-year-olds), conducted in December 2012 by KRC Research and release by Zipcar Inc, examined the attitudes and behaviors of this generation related to urban transportation, technology and car ownership. It found mobile devices and on-demand transportation apps are more important to Millennials than car ownership.

• Nearly two in three (65 percent) of Millennials say losing their phone (30 percent) or computer (35 percent) would have a greater negative impact on their daily routine than losing their car (28 percent).

• One in four Millennials (25 percent) say transportation apps have reduced their driving frequency, compared to less than 12 percent of those 45+.

Some say Millennials are too stressed out to take time for themselves these days. The survey indicates that they’re simply savvy and taking advantage of technology and convenience:

• Nearly three quarters (73 percent) of Millennials would rather shop online than drive or ride public transit to the store.
• Nearly half (47 percent) of Millennials sometimes choose to spend time with friends online instead of driving to see them in person.

“We’re living through the most important shift in transportation in generations—the creation of a new mobility society. Soon we’ll live in major metropolitan areas that include networks of ubiquitous, mobile-app powered on-demand mobility services.  These mobility networks will enable connected consumers to pick the best mode of transportation for each trip, in real-time,” said Scott Griffith, Zipcar chairman and CEO. “Millennials are leading the charge for this highly efficient new model that is revolutionizing how people get around.”

In addition to the influence of technology and availability of alternatives discussed above, the study found that more traditional influences—like the high cost of car ownership and environmental concerns associated with excessive driving—are compelling many Millennials to drive less.

“Mobility has defined new expectations for Millennials,” said Jonathan Yarmis, Principal Analyst at Yarmis Group. “They are used to getting what they want, when they want it and mobility solutions are changing the way they decide how to get from one place to another.  Having transportation services on-demand is becoming essential to serve the expectations of this new generation.”

The third annual Millennials study included 1,015 adults in the US, age 18 and over, with 980 licensed drivers between December 6 and December 9, 2012. Full study and results can also be viewed here.